WESTERN PROVINCE ARE THE ONLY UNBEATEN TEAM AT THE COCA-COLA UNDER 13 CRAVEN WEEK 2013

Western Province are the unofficial SA primary schools provincial rugby champions after beating the Blue Bulls 11-10 in the final game of the Coca-Cola Under-13 Craven Week in Bela-Bela on Friday.

The win meant that WP were the only side to remain unbeaten in their four games and their status as the top side at the week was well deserved.

There is no official winner at Craven Week, but everyone knows that the two top-ranked sides are pitted against each other in the last game of the tournament, and the winner there wears the crown for the next year,

The final was as close as the score line suggests.

Western Province scored a try and penalty to a Bills penalty to lead 8-3 at half time, but the Bulls hit back with an early second half try to go 10-8 up and it stayed that way until close to the end when a further Province penalty gave them the win.

In other action on the final day, the Eastern Cape sides showed that primary schools rugby is in good shape in that province. Border ended the unbeaten run of the Pumas, beating them 29-12, while the Border Country Districts side rounded off a good week with a 21-5 win over SWD.

Eastern Province thumped Boland 28-0 in the second last game of the day.

The Golden Lions bounced back from their heavy loss to the Blue Bulls in their third outing to beat KwaZulu-Natal 13-12 in a thriller.

Results

Griquas 12 Namibia 5,, Free State 26 Zimbabwe 17, Griffons 12 Valke 5, Border Country 21 SWD 5, Leopards 32 Limpopo Blue Bulls 5, Golden Lions 13 KwaZulu-Natal 12, Border 29 Pumas 12, Eastern Province 28 Boland 0, Western Province 11 Blue Bulls 10

 

BLUE BULLS STARS COME TO SUPPORT THE PLAYERS AT THE COCA-COLA UNDER 13 CRAVEN WEEK

Blue Bulls Super rugby players, Dewald Potgieter, Dean Greyling, Jono Ross, and their coach, Frans Ludeke, spent the day in Bela-Bela on Thursday at the Coca-Cola under-13 Craven Week, supporting the Blue Bulls team, and generally showing their interest in rugby at this level.

Eighthman, Jono Ross, who is included in the Bulls match 23 for the first time on Saturday, said he is very impressed with the whole affair.

“It was a great day out for us,” he said. “It’s nice to mix with ordinary rugby people, the atmosphere was amazing, and there was some pretty good rugby on display,” he said.

Ross never played rugby at primary school himself, and he believes these players are getting an excellent grounding ahead of their future playing careers. “I’m amazed at how seriously they all take it, even at this age. Maybe they should be having more fun in the process, but then, again, this is a showcase for them to show their talents, and I am sure that many of them will be going on to top rugby schools as a result of them appearing here

“That will be good for their rugby and it can change their whole lives.”

The standard of play also impressed Ross. “I saw some players here who can really play,” he said. “And the teams are playing according to game plans that are more advanced than what you’d expect from players so young.

“All in all, it was a very enjoyable day and a good way to break the tension of preparing for Saturday’s big Super Rugby game.”

The Blue Bulls under-13 team responded to their famous supporters by trouncing the Golden Lions 24-0 and booking their spot in the main game of the Coca-Cola under-13 Craven Week which end on Friday.

Namibia 21 - 5 Zimbabwe

Eastern Province 21 - 5 KwaZulu Natal

Leopards 10 - 21 Border

Western Province 20 - 12 Boland

Blue Bulls 24 - 0 Golden Lions

Limpopo Blue Bulls 19 - 33 Border CD

SWD 7 - 20 Mpumalanga

Griffons 16 - 5 Griquas

Valke 20 - 5 Free State

Ends.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, our Company's portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.8 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system employees. For more information, please www.thecoca-colacompany.com or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo.

THE COCA-COLA UNDER 13 WEEK IS ANOTHER STEP IN LIMPOPO’S PLAN TO TAKE RUGBY TO RURAL AREAS

Sports development cannot succeed without the committed support of sponsors, and the case of Limpopo Blue Bulls Primary Schools Rugby and their partnership with Forever Resorts is a case in point.

The hospitality organisation decided to support Limpopo Blue Bulls primary schools rugby in 2007 as part of their commitment to social responsibility and rural development projects.

It was up to the Limpopo Blue Bulls needed to start a development project in a rural area - which they did in the areas of Hoedspriut and Bushbuck Ridge; to become one of the top sides at the the Coca-Cola under 13 Craven Week - which they achieved in 2011; and successfully bid host the tournament - which has happened this year.

The union set itself a time frame of 5 years to achieve these goals and they have done it in 4. As a result, Forever Resorts have renewed their contract with the Limpopo Blue Bull Union due the commitment that the union has shown in developing young players.

Christo Wagenaar, media liaison officer for Forever Resorts, explains that Hoedspruit and Bushbuck Ridge were chosen as the focus areas because of the support that Springbok Chiliboy Ralepele, the development programme's ambassador, enjoys in those areas.

"The children around Hoedspruit wanted to follow their local legend but found it difficult due to the lack of a development program," Wagenaar said. "The program has been around for 4 years and at this year’s tournament there are 5 children that have made the Limpopo Blue Bulls team that have come directly out of the project."

A big problem with rugby in Limpopo is that only 36 Primary Schools play rugby in the province and they are spread very far apart. For Piet Burger, this year's Coca-Cola under-13 Craven Week director to attend a local organising committee meeting he often had to drive 860 km

"For kids to play rugby frequently in Limpopo often they have to travel similar distances. If more schools played rugby then they would be able to play more schools closer to home and increase the talent pool," Burger says.

Burger explains that the focus of the development project is not only on rugby, it is also on teaching kids camaraderie, friendship, sportsmanship, discipline and respect. “These players have a God-given talent. We want them to use it to promote the game, sportsmanship, mutual respect and to form new friendships."

The reason why this tournament is being hosted in Bela-Bela is that the union and Forever Resorts believe in taking rugby to the community and not taking people out of the community to some rugby stadium in a big city.

"However, this created a lot of challenges," Burger says. SARU do not compromise on the medical need of the kids. There are certain criteria that a hosting town needs to meet and most rural towns cannot meet those needs. "The Blue Bulls helped the Limpopo Blue Bulls work on meeting these requirements," he explained.

The result has been a wonderful opportunity for the young players from around the country to experience true bushveld hospitality.

The generosity of tournament sponsors, Coca-Cola, and Limpopo Blue Bulls Primary Schools Sponsors, Forever Resorts has made that possible.

Ends.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, our Company's portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.8 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system employees. For more information, please www.thecoca-colacompany.com or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo.

DAY TWO OF THE COCA-COLA CRAVEN WEEK SAW SOME RETEAMS RECOVER WELL FROM THE FIRST DAY AND OTHERS CONFIRM THEIR DOMINANCE

Day two of the Coca-Cola under-13 Craven Week in Bela-Bela saw the teams that came into the week as favourites to play in Friday’s prestigious main game all successfully negotiate their second hurdle and set themselves up for what will in effect be semifinals when play resumes on Thursday.

Wednesday is traditionally a rest day at the week and, in keeping with the venue, the boys will be spending it at the poolside, and in the water, courtesy of Forever Warmbaths, one of the co-sponsors of the event, despite it being mid-winter, and freezing in other parts of the country.

There were impressive wins on day two for the four unbeaten sides, Pumas, Western Province, the Blue Bulls, KwaZulu-Natal and the Golden Lions.

The Blue Bulls beat the Leopards 14-0 in a hard-fought encounter, the Pumas were 22-14 winners over the Border Country Districts side, Western Province scraped home 10-7 against Eastern Province and the Lions produced a solid defensive effort to keep out the dangerous Border runners and win 18-7 in the final game of the day.

Other big winners on day two included Boland, who bounced back from a loss to the Bulls on day one to beat KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, and the hosts, Limpopo Blue Bulls, who notched up a popular 22-5 win over the Valke in their second outing.

Results Day 2:

SWD 22 Griquas5

Limpopo Blue Bulls 22 Valke 5

Pumas 22 Border CD 14

Free State 26 Namibia 5

Griffons 25 Zimbabwe 7

Boland 13 KwaZulu-Natal 7

Western Province 10 Eastern Province 7

Blue Bulls 14 Leopards 0

Golden Lions 18 Border 7

THE WELFARE OF THE PLAYER IS AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE COCA-COLA UNDER 13 CRAVEN WEEK

The Coca-Cola under-13 Craven Week, under way in Bela-Bela this week is a celebration of rugby's potential, with the best of the players who are only just finding their feet in game showing their skills in front of an enthusiastic audience.

The fact that these are players at a crucial and vulnerable stage of their physical development is not lost on SA Rugby and the organisers of the week, and their well-being is at the center of everything that happens.

Thys Bezhuidenhout, chairperson of SA Schools Rugby, explains that the medical requirements in staging an event like this are very stringent, and meeting these requirements was the biggest challenge in hosting the event in Bela-Bela.

"One of the biggest changes in this year’s tournament was a medical challenge," he said. "Both the Limpopo Blue Bulls and the Blue Bulls management team worked hard to make sure that the medical facilities are up to scratch to host a large event like this and to make sure that the kids are safe and get the best medical treatment. There are 2 helicopters, 2 hospitals close by (government and private) a hospital in Pretoria on standby, 7 ambulances and a lot of medical staff. SARU will not compromise on the safety of our children," he said.

The particular concern for the welfare of players at this age extends to the selection of the referees who officiate at the tournament.

"All the referees in this tournament are fulltime teachers and that is very important at this age group," Bezhuidenhout explained. "Teachers have an in-depth knowledge of the requirements of children at this age. Teachers know when to let play run and when play has become dangerous and it is time to stop the game. Referees at older age groups are used to well-trained and well-conditioned players who have the muscular structure to handle certain match situations."

So, different from the other Coca-Cola Youth Weeks, these referees are not only the top upcoming young officials, identified by SARU, they are also all primary schools teachers, nominated by their provinces.

Bezhuidenhout has been to this week for 34 years now, and for him, what stands out is the increase in the number of players of colour appearing, and the excellent standards they achieve.

"In the early days the tournament only had 4 teams that were chosen from previous disadvantaged areas. Now over 50% of the players are non-white. The biggest challenge is to keep these players playing rugby once they leave school. The structures in the rural areas are difficult to find so we lose a lot of very good players," he said.

THE 2013 U-13 COCA-COLA YOUTH RUGBY WEEK GOT OFF TO A FANTASTIC START WITH A COUPLE OF SUPRISING RESULTS

The 42 Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week for Primary Schools got going in balmy Bela-Bela yesterday and the players responded to the opportunity to show their skills in ideal conditions, away from their icy home environments, by producing some sparkling barefoot rugby.

The two most impressive sides on show on day one appeared in the opening and the closing encounters – the Golden Lions beat Zimbabwe 36-0 in the tournament opener, and KwaZulu-Natal accounted for the hosts, the Limpopo Blue Bulls 33-5 in the final game of the day, to set the bar for the other teams who want to have a say in the stakes for main game honours come Friday.

In between, there were impressive performances from Border, who beat Free State 28-17, and the Blue Bulls who overcame a feisty Boland 19-5.

The Bulls won the main game at last year’s Coca-Cola under-13 Craven Week, so they are the unofficial champions, and they showed on day one that it is not a crown they will be relinquishing readily.

Border trailed 14-17 at halftime against Free State, but scored 14 unanswered points in the second period to announce themselves as serious contenders this year.

The upset of the day was caused by the Leopards, who beat fancied Eastern Province 10-5 in tight affair that saw a titanic forward struggle.

Even tighter was the SWD v Valke clash which ended in a rare pointless draw.

In Tuesday’s action the first day winners face tougher opposition, so the Golden Lions face Border in the main game of the day, while the Blue Bulls take on the Leopards, and KwaZulu-Natal meet Boland.

Wednesday is a rest day, and the teams play their third and fourth games on Thursday and Friday.

Monday’s Results

Golden Lions 36 Zimbabwe 0, Pumas 17 Namibia 0, Border 28 Free State 17, Border Country 5 Griffons 3, SWD 0 Valke 0, Leopards 10 E Province 5, Western Province 31 Griquas 7, Blue Bulls 19 Boland 5, KwaZulu-Natal 33 Limpopo Blue Bulls 5.

Tuesday’s fixtures

9am SWD v Griquas, 9.50am Valke v Limpopo Blue Bulls, 10.40am Pumas v Border Country, 11.30am Free State v Namibia, 12.20pm Griffons v Zimbabwe, 1.10pm KwaZulu-Natal v Boland, 2pm E Province v W Province, 2.50pm Blue Bulls v Leopards, 3.40pm Golden Lions v Border.